Sustainability

Sustainability

(Updated Aug. 1, 2023)

2003

The University of California's sustainability commitment began through a student initiative.

2004

The University of California Regents adopted the Presidential Policy on Green Building Design and Clean Energy Standards.

Since then, the Sustainable Practices Policy has been expanded to encompass various policy areas.

Reduce -> Reuse -> Recycle

1. The University of California tracks and communicates its progress toward the policy goals in the UC Annual Report on Sustainable Practices
   
   1. Multiple presidential initiatives, such as the Carbon Neutrality, Global Food, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative, bolster these efforts.
2. The University of California lays out the minimum sustainability criteria for products and services purchased by the UC.
   
   1. The guidelines highlight preferred product attributes, which are strongly encouraged, if not mandatory.
   2. The guidelines serve as a complementary resource to the Sustainable Procurement Policy and Procedure Sections of the UC Sustainable Practices Policy.
3. The UC Sustainable Practices Policy establishes targets and requirements for sustainable procurement within the University of California.
   
   1. The policy outlines the expectations for UC buyers in their sustainable procurement practices.
      
      1. The Policy also defines the criteria for what UC considers sustainable at the product, product category, service, or industry level.
   2. The policy serves as a comprehensive guide for promoting sustainability throughout the procurement process.
4. The UC Sustainable Practices Policy places a priority on waste reduction in the following sequence:
   
   1. Reduce unnecessary purchasing
   2. Prioritize purchasing surplus/multiple-use products before looking at recyclable, compostable, or otherwise sustainable products.